Solihull

Solihull's population grew in the decade to 2011. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure and marriage.

The population passed 200,000

In the 10 years leading up to 2011, the population of Solihull increased by 3.6%, from almost 200,000 to 207,000.

The addition of almost 7,200 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Solihull was home to, on average, 8.3 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was higher than the average across the West Midlands

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the West Midlands, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Solihull

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Solihull increased by two years, from 40 to 42 years.

This affluent area had a higher average age than the West Midlands and remained somewhat older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just over 5,700 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by about 6,000.

About 12% of people in Solihull are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, West Midlands and Solihull by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in Solihull

Solihull saw the West Midlands' third-largest fall in the proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

In 2011, just under 9 in 10 (88%) in Solihull reported not being limited in their day-to-day activities, compared with 89% in 2001. The percentage who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 3.0% to 3.9%.

Across the region, only Herefordshire (from 90% to 89%) and Malvern Hills (from 89% to 87%) saw a greater decrease in the proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

The proportion of people who aren't limited by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across the West Midlands

Percentage of usual residents that reported not being limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Solihull that rented privately increased from 4.2% to 9.9% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just over one in seven (15%) households lived in social housing, compared with 16% in 2001. The percentage of Solihull households that owned their home decreased from 78% to 74%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a slower rate here than the figure for the whole of the West Midlands (from 7.3% in 2001 to 14% in 2011). Across England, the percentage increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Solihull increased by 5.7 percentage points

Percentage of households in Solihull, the West Midlands and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Fewer married people

The percentage of adults in Solihull that were married decreased from 57% to 52% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

In 2011, just over 3 in 10 (30%) people aged 16 and over said they were single, compared with 25% in 2001. The percentage of adults in Solihull that had divorced or separated from a married or civil partner increased from 9.1% to 10%.

The proportion of married people fell here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the West Midlands (from 52% in 2001 to 48% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 51% to 47%.

The proportion of married people was higher than across the West Midlands

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 and over that said they were married across local authority areas in the West Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Solihull residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 8.0% to 5.2% in the decade to 2011.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (82%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 71% in 2001. The percentage of Solihull residents that described their health as fair decreased from 21% to 13%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell here at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the West Midlands (from 9.7% in 2001 to 6.1% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Solihull decreased by 2.8 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Solihull, the West Midlands and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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